9 Surprisingly Dangerous Snacks for Dogs

I’m not gonna lie: sometimes, I feed my dogs people food. A cheesy cracker here, a piece of popcorn there. Certain days, I even let them lick the yogurt cup or peanut butter jar clean. For the most part, if your dog doesn’t suffer from allergies, these occasional bites are harmless. It turns out, however, that certain human snacks are dangerous for dogs.

We all know not to slip our dog a chicken wing (seriously, never slip your dog a chicken wing), but you may be surprised to learn which other popular people-snacks can pose a health hazard to your beloved pet. Read on for details, plus get safe alternatives below.

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Guacamole

Avocados may be a delicious miracle food for humans, but unfortunately, they can be problematic for dogs. That’s mostly due to the potential presence of a toxin called persin, which can cause stomach upset. It’s worse with certain varieties, and most present in the peel. Still, better to be safe than sorry.

Guacamole also contains garlic and onions, which can cause anemia and gastrointestinal distress. If you must give your dog a treat from the fiesta table, stick to one or two plain tortilla chips (but not more than that—too much salt is another no-no).

Alternative:AvoDerm is a well-rated commercial pet food line that contains healthy avocado for dogs and cats (with no persin!)

Mixed nuts

Almonds are too rough to be digested properly and can damage your dog’s esophagus and stomach; pecans left out too long may mold and develop a dangerous toxin; and macadamia nuts are downright poisonous. Mixed nuts are relatively healthy for us humans, but keep them away from your dog.

Ice cream

A post shared by Mari the Pug (@marithepugdog) on Sep 26, 2016 at 1:53pm PDT

It’s tempting to give your dog a lick of your cone on a hot day, and chances are, a little won’t hurt. But ice cream in large quantities is a no-no for dogs. The dairy content can cause gastrointestinal trouble (i.e., diarrhea), and the sugar content is way too high for them. Also, commercially-produced ice cream can contain nut traces, chocolate, and other substances that are dangerous for your dog.

Beer and other alcohol

This one should be a no-brainer, but some people think it’s funny to offer their dog a sip of beer. Alcohol in any quantity can be dangerous for animals; it has the same effect on their brain and liver as it does on humans, but it takes a lot less to do a lot more damage in dogs. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination issues, difficulty breathing, and worse.

Alternative:Bowser Beer is a safe, nonalcoholic beer for dogs—in case, you know, you needed some? In all seriousness, it’s a dog-safe, tasty mix with added glucosamine for joint health, and can be added to dry food or given as a treat.

Snack mix

Cereal snack mix is one of my favorite treats, and I know how tempting it is to throw a handful to the dog. But commercial snack treats often contain onion and garlic powder, both of which can cause tummy troubles.

Snack mix is also high in sodium, and too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination.

Dogs and bones go together like peanut butter and jelly, but only some bones are safe for your pooch. Cooked bones leftover from your barbecue may splinter and cause an obstruction or injury to your dog’s digestive system, and fatty meat scraps can lead to pancreatitis.

Dispose of bones and meat scraps in an area your dog can’t reach, and only offer a whole raw bone (with supervised chew-time) or a safe chewable instead.

French fries

Confession: French fries are my favorite food, and I love to share them with my dog. But fries are high in fat and sodium, and overindulgence can lead to dehydration and an upset tummy for us both. Salty snacks in general are a bad idea for dogs; too much salt can even lead to ion poisoning.

So it’s safe to toss your dog one or two fries at the drive-through, but don’t super-size their serving.

Candy and gum

Chances are you’re not letting your dog go wild in the candy aisle, but accidental ingestion of candy or gum can cause serious damage.

Aside from the choking hazard posed by small, sticky treats, many sugar-free gums and candies contain xylitol, a popular sugar substitute that can be lethal to dogs. Stick to candy-shaped toys, and keep the real deal out of reach!

Table foods dogs can eat

In case you’re worried you can never safely sneak your dog a treat from your own bowl of snacks, here are a few human foods that are okay in small amounts:

Unsalted, raw or roasted peanuts removed from their shell

Unsalted pretzels

Plain, cooked chicken, beef, fish, or lamb

White rice and pasta

Regular cheese, as long as you know your dog doesn’t have lactose intolerance

It’s only natural to want to treat your dog, and if she doesn’t have allergies or a particularly sensitive stomach, a morsel of human food here or there won’t hurt. But avoid the dangerous foods listed above, and remember: moderation is key. Most of your dog’s food should be, well, dog food. Happy snacking to you and your pooch!